Fingernail measuring method and apparatus

Abstract

The present invention is a cap bearing measurement indicia that may be used independently, in conjunction with, or integrated into a fingernail file or other instrument to determine the length of a fingernail. The invention is designed to allow the user to measure the length of the fingernails, and trim the fingernails to desired lengths according to the measurements taken.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A fingernail measuring device comprising a detachable pointed cap having measurement indicia at the pointed end thereof, said indicia increasing with distance from said pointed end.  
     
     
         2 . The measuring device of  claim 1  wherein said pointed cap is flat and has a front and rear surface, and said measurement indicia includes a plurality of equidistantly spaced arcuate lines extending completely across one of said surfaces.  
     
     
         3 . The measuring device of  claim 2  wherein said arcuate lines extend completely across both of said surfaces.  
     
     
         4 . The measuring device of  claim 2  wherein said device is detachably attached to a fingernail file.  
     
     
         5 . The measuring device of  claim 2  wherein said device is detachably attached to a cuticle rod file.  
     
     
         6 . An instrument for measuring and modifying the length of a fingernail comprising an fingernail file having at least one pointed end with measurement indicia integrated into said pointed end.  
     
     
         7 . The instrument of  claim 6  wherein said pointed end is flat and has a front and rear surface, and said measurement indicia includes a plurality of equidistantly spaced arcuate lines extending completely across one of said surfaces.  
     
     
         8 . The instrument  claim 7  wherein said arcuate lines extend completely across both of said surfaces.  
     
     
         9 . A method for obtaining a desired length of an installed elongated fingernail comprising the steps of: 
 a. inserting a device having a pointed end with measurement indicia located thereon underneath said fingernail such that the point touches the end of the finger;    b. determining the desired length for the fingernail according to the measurement indicia; and    c. trimming said fingernail to the desired length.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  including the additional step of repeating steps a-c for each fingernail of each hand.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said device comprises a fingernail file having at least one pointed end with measurement indicia integrated into said pointed end.  
     
     
         12 . The instrument of  claim 11  wherein said pointed end is flat and has a front and rear surface, and said measurement indicia includes a plurality of equidistantly spaced arcuate lines extending completely across one of said surfaces.  
     
     
         13 . The instrument  claim 12  wherein said arcuate lines extend completely across both of said surfaces.